Who’s hiring insurance tech execs?

July 18, 2017 5:17 AM

Insurance companies have been busy in 2017 hiring tech executives for efforts aimed at better serving customers and agents and improving core products. Candidates for the roles of chief data officer, chief digital officer and chief analytics officer continue to be in high demand as insurers look to revamp underwriting and distribution.

Here we take a look at some of the most notable recent appointees.

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Insurance companies have been busy in 2017 hiring tech executives for efforts aimed at better serving customers and agents and improving core products. Candidates for the roles of chief data officer, chief digital officer and chief analytics officer continue to be in high demand as insurers look to revamp underwriting and distribution.

Here we take a look at some of the most notable recent appointees.

Matthew Isaly

Hamilton Re named Isaly senior vice president and head of information systems earlier this year. The financial services veteran is responsible for executing the reinsurer’s IT strategy in the newly created role. This includes oversight of future core technology initiatives. Islay came to Hamilton Re by way of Xuber, an industry vendor.

Read on:

Hamilton Re appoints new head of information systems

Chris Du Bois

Allianz Life recently promoted Du Bois to SVP and chief digital officer. In his new role, Du Bois is responsible for carrying out the insurer’s digital experience strategy, including its mobile and social media initiatives, CRM and analytics. Du Bois joined Allianz Life in 2010 to lead its digital experience management team.

Read on:

Allianz Life names chief digital officer

Joseph Merten

Named CNA’s executive vice president of technology and operations in January, the newly-created role requires Merten to improve services for agents and customers through the use of the cloud, big data and the Internet of Things, among other emerging technologies. He reports to CNA CEO Dino Robusto and was previously SVP of Axis Capital.

Read on: CNA creates new top technology rolet:

Jeff Ross

Tracey Berg

Workers' compensation carrier Employers Holdings designated Berg as its new chief information officer at the beginning of February. She arrived by way of West Bend Mutual, where she served in the same role since 2008.

Read on:

Employers Holdings hires new CIO

Henna Karna

XL Catlin hired Dr. Karna as its chief data officer in February to work closely with XL Innovate, the company’s venture-capital arm, and its in-house innovation team to enhance its data, analytics and innovation strategies. Karna previously served as president of Verisk digital services, as well as actuarial CIO and managing director at AIG.

Read on:

XL Catlin’s new CDO to pursue ‘disruptive data-related endeavors’

Jane Shauck/Jane Shauck

Bruce Shuman

The Hartford appointed Shuman chief digital and customer experience officer in April. He now leads the insurer’s efforts to design, build and manage optimal digital experiences for its customers and distribution partners. Shuman returned to the carrier after five years as vice president of e-business at Travelers.

Read on:

The Hartford taps Travelers exec to head customer experience

Caroline King

In yet another tech-related hire, CNA brought on King as SVP of business strategy, technology and operations in April. She now works with IT leaders at the commercial insurer to accelerate turnaround times on services for customers, agents and employees. Previously, Kin was SVP of global operations at Chubb.

Read on:

CNA adds SVP in reworked technology organization

Jeff Ross

Tom Warden

After hiring a new CIO in February, in May Employer Holdings successfully recruited Warden as its SVP and chief data and analytics office. Warden previously served as CDO of AIG’s life and retirement business and as Allstate’s corporate research center leader. He assumes control of the workers’ comp insurer’s analytics practices, as it undertakes multiple data initiatives, including a multi-year policy administration system replacement project.

Read on:

Employers hires chief data and analytics officer

Alexa von Tobel

Tobel was appointed Northwestern Mutual’s first chief digital officer in May, after nine years as CEO of LearnVest, a personal finance website she founded. She is currently missioned with accelerating Northwestern Mutual's digital transformation, with an eye toward developing new tools for agents and customers.

Read on:

Northwestern Mutual names first chief digital officer

Brian Billings

Workers’ comp insurer Midwest Employers Casualty promoted Billings to VP of predictive analytics last month. In addition to his duties as head of business analytics, Billings is now charged with extending the insurer’s technology reach to embrace more of the company’s clients and business partners.

Read on:

Midwest Employers Casualty appoints predictive analytics leader

BRUCE POWELL

Meghan Anzelc

Named VP of data and analytics at Axis Insurance in June, Anzelc is responsible for implementing the insurer’s data strategy and expanding its analytics capabilities. Before joining Axis, Anzelc served as VP and lead data scientist of Zurich North America.

Read on:

AXIS hires data leader from Zurich

Brian Ingle

Promoted to head of analytics at Willis Re North America earlier this month, Ingle replaces Alice Underwood, who was named head of risk consulting and software for parent company Willis Towers Watson. Ingle previously led the reinsurer’s actuarial practice.

Read on:

Willis Re names new head of analytics

Michael Taht

In another July appointment, Munich Re named Taht EVP of research, analytics and underwriting. He now oversees all biometric research and integrated analytics efforts for the company. Prior to his promotion, That ran marketing and pricing for Munich Re’s individual life and living benefits department.

Read on:

Munich Re's new analytics leader to focus on biometrics, customer experience

Yucel Yalim

Sastry Durvasula

Marsh hired Durvasula as its first chief digital officer this month. As part of his responsibilities, he will also assume the role of chief data and analytics officer and will take charge of leading the design and delivery of Marsh’s client-facing technology across the firm’s global business.

Read on:

Marsh names new CDO from AmEx

Pierre Jaborska

Seraina Macia

AIG named Macia EVP and CEO of its planned tech subsidiary last week. She is tasked with using data science to modernize the way AIG underwrites commercial insurance. Other responsibilities include aiding in the development of Attune, the data-driven joint venture launched last year by AIG, Hamilton and Two Sigma, which focuses on the small business insurance market. Macia previously served as CEO of Hamilton USA, before AIG purchased the business unit in May.

Read on:

Hamilton exec returns to AIG to head tech subsidiary